Merry Christmas!!

Let me be one of the first to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!!

I hope you have all you wish for during this holiday season. Quality time with family, time to celebrate with good friends, and a calm sense of peace that only comes from keeping this time of year in perspective. Remember while the gifts are nice to give and receive it will mean more to your loved ones for you to enjoy being with them.

Please take time this December to remember why we are celebrating and it doesn't really envolve anyone in a red suit who is in much need of a good shave. The real reason is remembering that God's love was shown to us with the birth of his one and only son. Given to us so that we could be restored to God through his sacrifice.

Merry Christmas!

~Debbie~

Living a Life of Purity

How do we live a life of purity? It begins with a choice. You have to choose to walk in purity after you surrender your life to Christ. Notice I said SURRENDER. Too many people today want to live for Christ but want to live like the world at the same time. You must make a choice to surrender your life, your desires, your dreams and live your life in Christ by following His desires for you and fulfilling His dreams for your life. That includes living a life of purity, which is a life free of sin or disobedience toward God.

Romans 8:7 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (NIV) This sounds like there is no way for us to succeed in living a life of purity. BUT - Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—THINK about such things.” (NIV) It takes an effort and a choice daily on our part to live this way. The reward is great. It is peace of mind, living without guilt and it IS attainable. God himself will even help us if we turn to Him and lean on His understanding. Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (NIV)

Let’s choose to live a life of purity.

~Debbie~

Forgotten Virtue ~ Purity

Purity ~ freedom from sin or guilt

I love so much the freedom we have been given by the work that our Savior did on the cross. No longer do we have to carry the weight and burden sin leaves behind. Guilt we lay down and freedom we pick up.

Due to the price He paid and the value of the gift He has given, we should be highly motivated to live a life of purity. We should fight for and cherish every ounce of purity we have received. When we surrender our lives, ask our Father to come in and take over, we are set apart. Our lives are now worth so much more than just the sum of ourselves. We become a part of Him and His cause…which was to save that which was lost. Now, if some kind of change did not happen on our part, if we didn’t turn from our sin and turn toward our God then what was His sacrifice for? We are to example the beauty of His work in our lives. When we don’t turn to the things of this world to bring fulfillment, when we have peace in the midst of a storm, when our lives are running on all cylinders…people take notice. There is a natural pull toward you and people wonder what’s different? Then you have the perfect opportunity to share the love, grace and mercy of our King.

See the importance of holding your purity captive…to place high importance on preserving every ounce? Fight, resist, flee from sin and run ever so fast toward our God.

~ Terica

Living a Life of Integrity

How many times is it easier in life to compromise instead of standing strong and keeping your integrity intact?

I think it is impossible to maintain your integrity without God’s help. According to Psalm 41:12, even King David knew that he needed God’s help to uphold his integrity. “In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.”

God accompanied David throughout his life. David recognized that on his own he was not worthy but with God’s mercy he lived a life of victory over his enemies. In Psalm 25:11, David prays “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.” Realize today that on your own you will never be able to live that life of integrity and pray the same prayer that David prayed in Psalm 25. Rest assured that God will “uphold you and set you in His presence forever”(Psalm 41:12).

~Debbie~

INTEGRITY

In looking for examples of INTEGRITY we can go to the book of Job and read what God says about him in Job 2:3 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Job is where we will read this week. Take a look at Job’s response to all the people in his life as they “try to help him”.

Proverb 11:3 says “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

Proverbs 13:6 says “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”

Integrity is when your behavior (the way you live) matches your beliefs (or what you say you believe). It is time we stand up and become women of INTEGRITY!!!

Loyalty In Relationships

It is amazing when you think about it how many relationships we go through in our lifetime. Acquaintances we make through school, work, our children’s activities, church become friends and for a while are important in our lives. While we have a common thread we are loyal to these relationships. But as you think about it, those people come and go in and out of our live. Why is that? I feel it is the common thread that holds us together for a season and then fades away. Years later we may run into them again and old feelings are stirred up within and we wonder why we lost touch. If you begin to break it down it is the common thread.

What are the common threads in your relationships today? Are they lasting or only fleeting? Do we keep them as long as we feel good about them? In today’s society everything screams for us to be happy and satisfied, so when our feelings waiver so do our relationships. I don’t think that this is good – nor can it continue and have a healthy society. God wants us to be happy but we are not to base that happiness on people or circumstances around us. We are to base that happiness and fulfillment on our relationship with God Himself. He is the common thread that our relationships can be built on. I love how the relationship between Jonathan and David was built on their pact before the Lord. Their love for each other was built on their love of the Lord. They could go for long stretches of time without seeing each other but when they came together it was to help each other, to encourage each other, to set aside circumstances and family to be loyal to each other.

Ruth is another example of loyalty in her relationship with Naomi, her Mother-in-law. All Naomi’s family was gone but two daughter-in-laws and one left to stay with her family, while Ruth remained loyal to Naomi and traveled away from her family and all that was familiar to her to support and take care of her Mother-in-law. Without knowing what the outcome would be, she remained true. Isn’t it amazing that through that loyalty to her Mother-in-law, God gave her a new wealthy husband and also sent His son, the Messiah, through her lineage.

Let us be so in tune with God that we allow relationships to be born through our Heavenly Father and not of our own selfishness. God will surround you with people that love him as much as you love Him if you build your relationship strong with God, Himself.

~Debbie~

A Closer Look At Loyalty

Meaningful relationships are something I think it’s safe to say we all desire; whether it is with our spouse, friends, co-workers and most importantly our God. As I read through the passages in Samuel, there were so many relational characteristics and qualities that jumped off the page; loyalty being the key ingredient and setting the foundation. Let’s take a closer look…

“For the Lord was with David” think about those words. They imply a relationship. As believers, we know how constant our God is. He proves this over and over. The deeper you allow your relationship to go with the Lord, the more His "being with us" is evident. But, what I love is that David was loyal in return. Out of that foundation he was bestowed favor. Look how many times Saul tried to have him killed…or better yet tried to do the deed himself. Yet, all to no avail.

Let’s look at Jonathan. Scripture tells us that when he and David met, “there was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.” The relationship the two of them shared is perhaps one of the deepest and closest recorded in the Bible. Why is this?

1) They based their friendship on commitment to God, not just each other.
2) They let nothing come between them, not even career or family.
3) They drew closer to one another when their friendship was tested.
4) They remained friends to the end.

What is the underlying foundation…loyalty. Not just to one another but also to their God. We read in scripture over and over where they repeatedly renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. I believe this is key not only for relational survival but ultimate success. What they shared was Divine. How could it not be something so much more than a simple acquaintance when the foundation was God? Two hearts surrendered to The King in loyal fellowship with one another. Beautiful…absolutely beautiful.

Now, let’s take a minute to look at Saul. Yep, there's even something we can take away from Saul. You might wonder what in the world he could have been loyal to but that’s just it, he was loyal…just happened to be to himself. And out of that, there were several qualities and characteristics he portrayed. None desirable but they were there just the same. He was selfish, envious, insecure and that’s just to name a few. Because of the favor God bestowed upon David there were many times that rocked Saul. He wasted so much of his reign trying to destroy/remove that which he was so threatened by. The sad part of it all is he could have easily had that which he envied most. Instead he allowed it to enrage and the void would consume him. All it would require…a loyalty shift from self to God.

Father God, help us continue to build upon the rock that is You. May our hearts forever be loyal to our first Love. Help us Lord when we begin to waiver. When self begins to take over allow us to recognize and repent before damage is done. Father, we thank you for all those that you have placed in our lives that we can freely share this life with. Those who strengthen, encourage and stand by us no matter the personal cost. Lord help us continue to develop deep, meaningful and loyal relationships. Hearts joined together in spirit and truth, both of which are of You, are an unstoppable force. All for Your glory and to further Your kingdom. Amen.

~ Terica

Forgotten Virtue ~ Loyalty

Sunday, Brandon spoke on the Forgotten Virtue of Loyalty. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of this quality is found in the books of Samuel. The relationship that develops and unfolds between David and Jonathan is one that should inspire and awaken aspiration just the same. Take some time over the next couple of days to read about the strength and depth of loyalty shared by the two.


Read:

1 Samuel Chapters 18-23

2 Samuel Chapter 1


Join us back here on Wednesday as we continue our discussion.

Honor – A Lost Virtue

Who do you show honor? Why do you show them honor? How can you become a person of honor? Should we even strive to live a life of honor? Is honor even necessary today?

Honor –noun
1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.
2. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family.
3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
4. high public esteem; fame; glory: He has earned his position of honor.

–verb (used with object)
1. to hold in honor or high respect; revere: to honor one's parents.
2. to treat with honor.
3. to confer honor or distinction upon: The university honored him with its leadership award.
4. to show a courteous regard for: to honor an invitation

Today we have a mixed up idea of who deserves honor. We lift up sports figures because of their talents. Then are disappointed by the life that they lead out of the spotlight. We have become immune to the sin that is evident in their lives and wonder why there is no integrity in leadership anymore. We do not spend time honoring those around us that live a life of integrity. We use people to elevate ourself and take credit for what others have sacrificed for and expect others to honor us. Romans 12:9-10 (NIV) says “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21 (New King James Version) says ‘Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. (V21)Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.’ Verse 21 in The Message says Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

Take time to evaluate your life and then make a conscious effort to become that ‘vessel for honor’, the ‘kind of container God can use’. This can only happen when we choose to live a life of integrity and respect by always showing honor to others above youself.

~Debbie~

Sending Honor Down

Guest Blogger: Pastor Brandon
This past Sunday at NewLife we talked about the forgotten virtue of Honor. I love what Ben Arment had to say about this subject...

We tend to send honor up.

We turn Ps into VIPs, rooms into greenrooms, and Americans into idols.

But here's the paradigm shift with Jesus.

He sent honor down.

Those who were last became first, those who had least gave most, and those in the lowest seats got promoted.

Coach or Teammate?

I just have to take today to brag on (or "honor" for those of you who were in church yesterday) our amazing Pastor's wife, and Pastor herself, Terica. It doesn't matter how close or far away you have witnessed her life, you know that this blog could go on for a long time if I was going to list all of her amazing qualities. But for today I will just share one precious lesson that she has taught me without even knowing it herself.

I think a lot of women, myself included, tend to approach their spouses like they are their husband's personal life coach. Just like our high school sports coaches during game time, we think that our jobs consist of providing minute by minute directions from the sidelines of our spouse's life. Then after each game is over making sure that we go over all of their positives and negatives with them. We tend to think that we are the sole contributor to our husband's training and future improvement.

I have to admit that I tend to lean towards these methods in how I deal with Scott...not purposefully, but it is easy to see how the summation of my actions fall into this model. The problems that arise from this are obvious: we were never meant to Coach our husbands. We can't constantly critique their lives and expect them to want to share how their day went when they get home.

The only thing that has exposed these tendencies inside my own marriage, is that I got to see an amazing example of the grace that Terica displays inside her marriage. She, more than anyone else I have ever known, has shown me how to play a different role inside your marriage: teammate. Most people will spout that our role as women in the lives of our husbands is to be their biggest fan, and while I think we should root for the home team inside our marriage, I don't like the connotation that we don't have anything personally invested in the game. We can cheer, yell at the umpires, wear our favorite t-shirt, but at the end of the day when the game is over, go on with our lives. Being a soccer player, there was something special about the bond of a teammate; these were people you sweated with, put in extra hours of practice with, and puked in trash cans with after a 7am fitness training session. We got to see each other at our best and at our worst, we were all personally invested. How does this translate? We worked together to make our victories happen, picked each other up off the ground after losses, but most importantly for our current analogy: disagreed. We often disagreed with on-field decisions that were made by our teammates, but we also knew that for the team to stay at time that there was a time, a place, and a way to discuss those frustrations. For the sake of the team, we sometimes had to sacrifice our own opinions about the way things should be done in order for the team to be unified.

I'm not saying that Terica is the perfect wife, none of us are, but I will honor her by saying that she has acted out the example of what it means to be a teammate in her marriage. She has spent countless extra hours, sweat, and tears with Brandon in making his dreams come true (I'm not aware if she has ever puked in public trash cans for the cause.) She has seen him at his best and worst, high fiving him for during his best, and giving him grace and picking him up off the floor in his worst. And of course, sometimes disagreed and been frustrated with him, though it is hard to tell because she is amazing about dealing with these frustrations appropriately. And yes, she has had to make sacrifices in the name of unity.

Thank you, Terica, for teaching me that I am not responsible for my husband's improvement. My job is to continue to jump into the trenches and fight alongside him for his dreams. No one will ever be a better example of that than you!
~Laura